NOTRE DAME, Ind. With NCAA Tournament appearances in seven of the last eight completed seasons, and a 7-0 mark and No. 2 national ranking in a CoVID-shortened 2020 campaign, the Irish are set to return to action in 2021 with head coach Christine Halfpenny announcing the 15-game slate on Wednesday (Jan. 20).
“We are eager to get back to competing and couldn’t be more optimistic about the season ahead,” said Halfpenny. “We play in the best conference in the country and having the opportunity to play 10 contests against the best of the best is very exciting for our team. That’s why our student-athletes chose Notre Dame, to be in the best conference with the best opponents, game in and game out. In addition, we are excited to play a variety of non-conference opponents – some that we are familiar with and some brand new to the players on this year’s squad. Regardless of the challenges and this year’s circumstances with Covid still looming, we will be ready to compete!
No. 21/RV Irish To Host Shamrock Invitational share
NOTRE DAME, Indiana The No. 21/RV Notre Dame Swim and Dive team will host the annual Shamrock Invitational January 21-23, with the men facing Missouri State and the women facing No. 25 Akron.
Notre Dame’s final home meet of the season serves as a multi-day competition to lead into championship competition at the conference and national levels. It also marks the anniversary of the 1992 bus accident that injured multiple people and killed two Notre Dame women’s swimmers, Meghan Beeler and Colleen Hipp. Additionally, the Shamrock Invitational will include ceremonies to recognize the 11 Irish senior student-athletes on their Senior Days.
Notre Dame Athletics Honors Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. share
NOTRE DAME, Indiana On January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Notre Dame Athletics gathered coaches, administrators and student-athletes who had returned to campus in preparation for the spring to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Taking place at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on Notre Dame’s campus, the service included a period of reflection on the work of Dr. King, as well as prayers for the healing of the nation. Eric Love, Director of Staff Diversity and Inclusion at Notre Dame, led the service.
Tonight student-athletes, coaches, and staff joined together at the Grotto for a night of celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and prayers for healing in our country. #MLKDay x #Rallypic.twitter.com/l7tYFdPvZQ
Williams Selected to FWAA Freshman All-America Team share
NOTRE DAME, Indiana University of Notre Dame redshirt freshman running back Kyren Williams has been selected to the FWAA Freshman All-America Team for his 2020 performance. His selection marks the second-consecutive honor for an Irish freshman, as safety Kyle Hamilton earned the honor in 2019.
Williams has already been announced as a finalist for the Shaun Alexander/FWAA Freshman Player of the Year Award. He is one of three finalists chosen from a group of seven semifinalists for the honor.
Williams, the ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year, made a definitive mark on Notre Dame’s offense, and created a challenging matchup for defenses from across the FBS, in 2020. He was the only freshman to surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the year, totaling 1,125 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, the most rushing TDs among any freshman player. Williams reached the 100-yard rushing mark in six games this season.
NOTRE DAME, Ind. After helping lead Notre Dame to a weekend sweep of No. 1 Minnesota, Fighting Irish junior forward Graham Slaggert has been named the Big Ten’s First Star of the Week (Jan. 19).
Slaggert and the Irish posted a 3-2 win in game one of their weekend series at Minnesota, with Slaggert assisting on Notre Dame’s first two goals and then adding the third period game winner. It marked a career-best three points for the South Bend, Indiana native. The Irish went on to post a 2-1 win in game two.
On the season, Slaggert has skated in 12 games and is the team’s second-leading scorer with a career-best 11 points on four goals and seven assists.